2006 Lotus Exige S2 Supercharged

Highlights

• Supercharged Toyota engine good for 218 bhp
• Weighs in at just 935kg
• Six-speed manual
• Extensive service history
• Targa top

Overview

The early 2000s were a tumultuous time for British motor manufacturing, but Lotus managed to navigate these troubled waters and stay afloat. They had originally sourced the engines for the Exige from Rover, but had to look overseas for the Series 2, with Toyota supplying their high-revving 2ZZ-GE four-cylinder engine.

Observant bidders will have already noticed the all-important ’S’ at the end of this car’s name. This marks it out as having something rather special: a supercharger. This mechanically forced induction adds about 30bhp to the engine’s performance, allowing it to vault from zero to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The car’s low weight — at 930 kilograms — helps to achieve this spirited performance, as well as contributing to its superb handling and excellent stopping power. All this combines into an all-round excellent level of performance and precision, just what you want in your two-seater sportscar.

From this well-engineered starting point, this particular Exige has evidently been well cared for in its nearly twenty years of use. Its accompanying service record contains no fewer than 19 service stamps, mainly inked by Lotus garages and specialists, with the most recent dating from July 2025. And with a recorded mileage of a whisker below 35,000 miles, this car certainly looks young for its years.

Whether you’re looking for some trackday action, or you just want to get the maximum enjoyment out of your drive to work, this Exige is going to put a smile on your face.

History and documentation

• Registered 7 Nov 2006
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Dec 2006 @ 990 miles, Oct 2007 @ 4,358 miles, Apr 2008 @ 7,850 miles, Apr 2009 @ 9,804 miles, Apr 2010 @ 10,788 miles, Mar 2011 @ 11,256 miles, Aug 2012 @ 14,873 miles, Sep 2013 @ 16,824 miles, Oct 2014 @ 18,543 miles, Apr 2016 @ 21,704 miles, Jul 2017 @ 26,999 miles, Jul 2018 @ 30,405 miles, Jul 2019 @ 31,940 miles, Aug 2020 @ 32,449 miles, Mar 2022 @ 32,831 miles, Jun 2023 @ 33,307 miles, Jun 2024 @ 33,875 miles, Jul 2025 @ 34,093 miles
• Most of these services were undertaken by Lotus workshops or specialists
• Original owners documents
• The seller informs us that they have a collection of servicing invoices
• Two keys and remote fobs
• Current MOT with no advisories expires June 2026
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Four former keepers
• The present owner acquired the car in 2017
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Simple, lightweight interior, with sporting functionality
• Exige-branded Probax racing seats and a harness bar from the Sport pack
• The upholstery shows very little sign of use
• Manual seat adjuster on driver side only to save weight
• There is a little wear to the drivers door where the seatbelt buckle sits when not in use
• A few scratches can be seen on the passenger footrest
• There are some scuffs to the sill covers
• Extended carpet from the Tour pack
• Leather-trimmed, steering wheel
• Brushed aluminium gear knob and handbrake lever
• The air conditioning is said to blow cold
• Some of the Alcantara dashboard covering has begun to lift
• Large analogue instruments
• Upgraded Stereo CD player with iPod connectivity from the Tour pack
• Headlining clean and tidy, although sagging very slightly at outer edges

Exterior

• Unashamedly exciting styling, with large rear spoiler
• Finished in a very metallic premium laser blue (paint code B120)
• Mesh engine cover
• The paint is generally good, with a little blistering to the engine cover
• A few small chips and scratches from use
• The seller tells us that some of the marks in the paintwork have just been repaired
• No bodywork damage or repairs reported
• 16-inch matte black alloy wheels on the front, 17-inch on the rear; all free from marks but would benefit from new centre caps
• Yokohama tyres on the front, Toyos on the rear; due to availability 
• The seller notes that the tyres are quite old, and may benefit from being replaced
• The wheels are free from scuffs and damage that we could see
• Chrome badges
• A little fogging in the headlights
• One of the fog light lenses is cracked
• Single windscreen wiper
• Removable targa roof panel
• There is a little surface corrosion to some of the suspension components
• Centre-exit exhaust pipe

Mechanical

• 1,796 cc four-cylinder engine
• Produces 218 bhp
• Weighs just 935 kg
• 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds
• Six-speed manual gearbox
• Rear-wheel drive
• Engine bay clean and tidy
• The service in Jul 2025 included fitting a new air conditioning condenser
• The seller tells us that the radiator has been replaced
• The seller has also informed us that the expansion tank has been replaced with an aluminium tank from Radium
• The car is said to start first time every time
• Acceleration and braking are ‘phenomenal’
• Track-focused suspension set up from the Sport pack
• No warning lights or mechanical issues reported
• Battery trickle charger wiring fitted
• The exhaust is ‘loud with pops on the overrun’

Summary

If you’re looking for something flamboyant to put on your driveway, then this Lotus will certainly provide you with a good view to enjoy every time you step outside. But, being a Lotus, it’s about so much more than how it looks. An Exige S is one of the all time greats and here’s your chance to get your hands on one.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Felixstowe, Suffolk.